The lines are from Vegas and the home teams in CAPs.
Atlanta -3 over PHILADELPHIA
Last week, the Falcons capitalized on a lot of errors and played one of their best games of the season, looking every bit like the team that went to the Super Bowl last year. With Nick Foles at QB for the otherwise amazing Eagles, mistakes will likely happen this week, too. The Eagles have home-field advantage for what should be a frosty game and their defence can slow the Falcons down, but the biggest concern in this entire game is certainly Foles, who hasn’t shown many flashes of competence since coming in for Carson Wentz.
NEW ENGLAND -13.5 over Tennessee
We should’ve known better last week than to bet on Andy Reid’s Chiefs and their terrible playoff record. This week, though, the Titans are out of luck. With the Patriots well-rested, Tom Brady and Co. shouldn’t have any trouble taming a very average team that is incredibly lucky to be here. Tennessee should find itself very much lacking against a true test, much like it was in the first half against K.C.
Jacksonville +7.5 over PITTSBURGH
We don’t expect the same result as earlier this season, when the Jaguars pounded the Steelers 30-9, but Jacksonville has a good chance to cover this spread. Jalen Ramsey has a good chance to slow down a hobbled Antonio Brown, who is fully practising, but surely not at 100% after suffering a calf tear a few weeks ago. Le’Veon Bell should be featured heavily, but the Jags showed against the Bills that they can hold off a strong rushing attack. The big question mark is Blake Bortles and if he’s capable of not messing this up completely for his team. As long as he makes his simple throws and doesn’t turn the ball over, this should be a nice, tight game.
MINNESOTA -4.5 over New Orleans
In what should be the game of the weekend, the host Vikings are looking to move even closer to a home-field Super Bowl. It won’t be easy, though. The Saints had used a strong running game and good defence to win all season, but Drew Brees showed he’s still a threat last week in their win over Carolina. Minnesota’s defence will have the tough task of shutting down Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, as well as Brees and his array of receivers – but certainly has the potential to. Case Keenum has been shockingly effective for the Vikes and the RB tandem of Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon has offset the loss of rookie Dalvin Cook. The biggest thing to watch for is if the Saints pass defence can contain both Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Marshon Lattimore has been outstanding in his rookie season, but he obviously can’t cover both.
Last week: 1-3